Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Umamah Bakharia
Published on 2024-02-26 03:29:00
The University of Cape Town recently conducted a report that highlights the struggles faced by older persons in South Africa who rely on the older persons’ grant for their livelihood. The grant, which currently stands at R2,080 per person per month, is deemed insufficient by beneficiaries to cover their basic needs. This conclusion was drawn after researchers from the Family Caregiving programme interviewed 30 families in rural KwaZulu-Natal and 50 in the Western Cape to understand how pensioner-headed households manage to make ends meet on this grant.
According to the report, approximately 3.9 million people in South Africa depend on this grant for their survival. However, the average household income for black grant beneficiaries is R5,729, with almost two-thirds of them living in households of five or more people. The report also revealed that the average household monthly expenditure for people living on the grant is R2,438, which falls significantly short of the recommended basic cost of a nutritious diet for a family of five per month.
The Pietermaritzburg Social Justice and Dignity household affordability index indicated that the cost of a nutritious diet for a family of five is R4,459, excluding other necessities like electricity, transport, and cleaning products. The discrepancy between the actual expenditure of households and the basic cost of living is a cause for concern, as highlighted in the report.
Elderly individuals living in both rural and urban areas face daunting challenges in covering their basic needs. In rural areas, large households spend an average of R1,000 to R1,500 a month on food, with limited access to electricity and water posing additional burdens. In contrast, urban areas like Cape Town offer better access to essential services such as healthcare facilities and utilities, making it slightly easier for older persons to manage their expenses.
Despite these disparities, the study found that inflation and high-interest loans are putting additional pressure on older people to meet their financial obligations. Many older persons are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living and are forced to borrow money at exorbitant rates, further exacerbating their financial difficulties.
The report emphasizes the need for the government to increase investment in grants for older people to ensure they have access to basic care services like transportation for food shopping, Sassa pay points, and medical facilities. By addressing these challenges and providing adequate support, the government can improve the quality of life for older persons and alleviate their financial burdens.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
